Microsoft to slash Dell Windows 8.1 tablet to $99 -- for a day

Microsoft will sell the Dell Venue 8 Pro for just $99 on Monday. But you'll have to be fast to catch the deal.
Sarah Tew/CNET

Shopping for a Windows 8.1 tablet? You can pick up the Dell Venue 8 Pro for just $99 via Microsoft on Monday, though you'll have to be an early bird to snag one.

Starting Monday, Microsoft's new 12 days of deals promotion promises a sale each day until Christmas week rings in. To kick off the holiday discounts, Microsoft will sell the Dell Venue 8 Pro for just $99, down dramatically from $299 at its retail outlets and online stores.

A Microsoft spokeswoman told CNET that the $99 price is good at Microsoft's retail stores only for the first 20 buyers. The price then rises to $199 for the rest of the day until stock is depleted. Some stores may have only 10 units available at $199, though others will have more.

The $99 offer also is good at Microsoft's online store for the first 100 orders. Then the price jumps to $199 for the rest of the day until stock runs out. Once the $199 supply is no more, the price bounces back up to $299.

Most of Microsoft's retail outlets open at 10:00 a.m. on weekdays, so those of you who want the Dell tablet should hit your local store by then. The deal also will be available at 7 a.m. PT at Microsoft's online store, according to the spokeswoman.

The offer is available only in Microsoft retail and online stores in the US and only in retail stores in Canada. Buyers also have to ante up the necessary taxes and shipping fees. And only one tablet per customer, so you can't buy them for all of the folks on your Christmas list.